spire

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈspī(-ə)r How to pronounce spire (audio)
Synonyms of spirenext
1
: a slender tapering blade or stalk (as of grass)
2
: the upper tapering part of something (such as a tree or antler) : pinnacle
3
a
: a tapering roof or analogous pyramidal construction surmounting a tower
b
: steeple
a church spire

Illustration of spire

Illustration of spire
  • S spire 3a

spire

2 of 4

verb (1)

spired; spiring

intransitive verb

: to rise like a spire

spire

3 of 4

noun (2)

1
a
: spiral
b
: coil
2
: the inner or upper part of a spiral gastropod shell consisting of all the whorls except the whorl in contact with the body

spire

4 of 4

verb (2)

spired; spiring

intransitive verb

: to rise in or as if in a spiral

Examples of spire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
But the real showstopper is its soaring shikhara (spire), at 116 feet, which mirrors the mythical axis of the universe in Hindu cosmology. — Shalbha Sarda, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2025 Medallions showcasing Churchill Downs’ iconic twin spires. — Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
Both crosses were removed from the cathedral’s steeple and spire in 1998 for building renovations. — Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 24 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for spire

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English spīr; akin to Middle Dutch spier blade of grass

Noun (2)

Latin spira coil, from Greek speira; perhaps akin to Greek sparton rope, esparto

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1591, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spire was before the 12th century

Rhymes for spire

See All Rhymes for spire

Browse Nearby Words

spire
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spire. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

spire

noun
ˈspī(ə)r
1
: a blade or stalk (as of grass) that gradually becomes thinner and narrower near the top
2
: a sharp pointed tip (as of a tree or antler)
3
a
: a pointed roof especially of a tower
b
: steeple
spired
ˈspī(ə)rd
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on spire

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for spire

Nglish: Translation of spire for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spire

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